9513155 Kowalczykowski This award supports a three year collaborative research project between Dr. Hideo Shinagawa of Osaka University, Japan and Dr. Stephen Kowalczykowski, University of California, Davis, USA. The major goal of this project is to biochemically reconstitute the process of genetic recombination, using purified protein and DNA components. Genetic recombination is complex biological process whose mechanism is not understood. Yet, it is this process that results in the assortment of genes which gives rise to genetic diversity. Further, if harnessed properly, recombination can be exploited either to repair defective genes that underlie certain human diseases or to genetically engineer agriculturally important plants or animals. Genetic recombination underlies one of the major approaches to gene targeting. The proposal brings together the efforts of two major laboratories that have constituted different parts of the process: the Kowalczykowski laboratory, which has reproduced the initial steps of the recombination in vitro, and the Shinagawa laboratory which has reconstructed the latter steps. It is anticipated that collaboration of these two laboratories will achieve the first in vitro reconstitution of genetic recombination. Furthermore, through the exchange of ideas and technology, this project will broaden our base of basic knowledge and promote international understanding and cooperation. ***
